Dispensing machine for paper cups and the like



Aug. 8, 1950 H. CAREW rrAL ,5

' DISPENSING MACHINE FOR PAPER CUPS AND THE LIKE Filed July 25, 1947 3Sheets-Sheet -1 FIG. I.

Il-W ll 7 Illl|l 65 FIG 2 6| 5| 45 46- l 52 44 68 o so g, 69 ,9 e5 7 1x13 5 O. as a; 2 '5 I4- INVENTORS HERMAN CARI-1W WAYNE M, MACK 7ATTORNEYS 7 Aug. 8, 1950 H. CAREW EI'AL' ,5

DISPENSING momma FOR PAPER cuPs m: THE LIKE Filed July 25, 194'! sSheets-Sheet s l6 Fl G. I INVENTORS HERMAN CAREW WAYNE M.MACK

ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 8, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPENSINGCHINEFOR PAPER ours AND THE LIKE Herman Carewand Wayne M. Mack, Easton,Pa.,

assignors to Dixie :Cup Company, Easton, Pa., a corporation'o'f DelawareApplication July 25, 1947, Serial No. 763,630

assembled groups of customers, necessitating the presence of hundreds ofcups in a machine.

It has been found that satisfactory operation ofa drink-dispensingmachine is curtailed by the loss of time consumed in the intervalsbetween presentation for; delivery of successive cups to the pointdesired-customarily the filling zone of a, drink-dispensing machineandin the supplanting of a particular stack of cups nearing depletion, orcompletely exhausted, by

afresh stack of cups to facilitate continued or uninterrupted operationof the machine.

An important feature of the cup phase of a machineto deliver beveragesor the like is, of course, the automatic control of the cups.

Cup dispensing apparatus involving a multistacks carrier for cups andmeans for shifting the same, combined with cup delivering mechanism tocoact with one of the stacks, has heretofore been suggested, butseparate motors have been required to attainthe desired functioning ofdifferent portions or phases of the operation of the apparatus.

An underlying object or characteristic of the present invention is theimprovement of such recognized apparatus by eliminating the necessityfor several motors and their appurtenant parts or devices, by providingan apparatus operative throughout the stacks shifting and cup feedingand dispensing phases, through the medium of a single motor, resultingin greater simplicity of mechanism and. efficiency of-opei ation, withcorresponding saving of expense in building andassurance of perfectoperation over long, substantially continuous use minimizing any needfor structural repair, adjustment, or replacement of mechanical elementsof the combination. n L

In keeping with the above outlined objects of the invention, a preferredembodiment of the same comprises a simple, compact and strong mechanism,operating throughout from a single motor, including novel mechanism toeffect instant shifting of thestacks of cups to successively locate asucceeding stack indispensingposition as a preceding stack becomescompletely dis- 1t Claims. (crime-44) pensed, or nears exhaustion, saidmeans being inter-related with means controlled by the stack of cupsbeing dispensed, and comprising substantially rigid interveningconnecting or abutting members (devoid of resilient or spring elements)so as to obtain positive action as distinguished from haphazard orspring control.

Said embodiment of the invention includes a motordrive means andconstant mechanical conneotion devices for dispensing the cups from agiven stack of nested cups (usually of paper), combined with meansoperative intermittently for actuating the cups-stacks carried to shiftthe cups-stacks as determined by the freeing of cups from saidgivenstack.

An essential characteristic of the embodiment of the invention referredto resides in novel mechanism, controlled through the medium of the cupsbeing dispensed, for obtaining and shifting positive coupling betweenthe drive shaft from the motor and driven means of the stacks carrier;also the novel formation and arrange- 31118111) -,of a contactcontrolling device over which the cups of a stack may ride downwardly,adapted to maintain a'continued engagement with the cups, While beingdispensed, and to swing in a horizontal plane into the zone of passageof the cups when freed from being held in normal position by suchengagement, to complete the drive for the stacks carrier.

yThe invention, also iembraces such contact device, possessingadjustable characteristics.

In aicompanion"application of the applicant Herman Carew, Serial No.502,679, which matured as Patent'No. 2,433,736, December 30, 1947,

"filed, September 16, 1943, approved mechanism for feeding anddelivering=individualcups from a stack has been disclosed, and thedetails thereof needbut general reference herein.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention, as hereinabovegenerallydefined, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings formchineapproximately from; front to rearbnLa line {represented at XX, Figure l.l r l Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line tion or drivefrom the motor.

Y- Y of Figure l, with the parts shown in one position, and Figure 4 isa similar sectional view illustrating the parts in another position.

Figure 5 is an enlarged elevation, from the front of Figure 2, partsbeing omitted to better show what we will term the constant contactmember for stack of cups.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of said contact member.

Figure 7 is a top view of one type of cup-stacks carrier.

Figure 8 is a, vertical sectional view illustrating the arrangement ofthe cups carrier in the machine, with one of the stacks in registrationwith the cup separating and delivery station.

Referring more specifically to the drawings wherein like referencecharacters designate the same parts in the several views 7 representsthe base plate of a frame, comprising said base plate, a top plate 8 andupright spacing or corner connections or posts 9, the whole being heldtogether by fastening screws It passed through the upper plate 8 intoengagement with the posts.

On the base 1, near one edge thereof, is mounted an electric motor H, ofsuitable size and construction, the inner wall or end of the motorcasing for confining the suitable reduction gears, etc.not a part of thepresent inventionbeing indicated at l2. From the motor casing extends ahorizontal drive shaft i3 which is the primary or main drive shaft,receiving its mo--' This drive shaft extends horizontally through themachine and to near the casing or box l4 containing the worms I5 foreffecting feed of the cups into the tube Hi, to be delivered at It to thpoint of not a part of the present invention-comprises a stub shaft l1passing out through the side of the box or casing l4 intended to be inapproxi-- mate alignment with the main drive shaft l3. To accommodatefor any misalignment (axially) of the two shafts i3 and I1, whileaffording a positive connection therebetween, so as to effect a rotativedrive throughout the length of the combined shafts l3 and IT, they haveoffset or crank portions [8 and H), the latter bearing a crossconnection between the cranks l8 and [9, attached to the member l9, andhaving a radial movement or adjustment in a slotted side I8 of the crankl8, so that as the cranks are rotated they will effect an adjustment tocompensate for any such misalignment of the shafts l3 and 11. On thecross connection 20 a cam 28' is provided for contacting a switch roller2|, on a resilient switch member 22 to break the operating circuit forthe motor customarily made by suitable mechanism not shown, associatedwith a coin and slot device, to start the machine in operation.

The self-adjustable coupling above defined for allowing for anymisalignment of the adjacent end portions of the operating shaft,constitutes the subject matter of the application of the present jointinventor Wayne M. Mack, Serial No. 633,478, filed December 7, 1945, andtherefore will not be specifically claimed herein.

Secured to the end wall [2 of the gear casing ll, of the motor, is thevertical member 23 of a bracket, cut away at its central portion 24(Figure 2) to bridge the drive shaft l3 and immediate parts associatedwith the latter, this bracket being secured to the wall l2 by screws andnuts 25, and having a right angle or horizontal flange 26, also acompanion parallel flange 21 struck out from the plate 23 in providingthe opening 24.

Below the flange 21, and on the drive shaft [3, extending parallel tosaid flange 21, is a beveled gear 28 pinned to the shaft, as at 29; andloosely projecting through an opening 30 in said flange 2'! is avertically slidable shaft 3| carrying a beveled gear 32, keyed to theshaft at 33, and disposed at right angles to the companion gear 28,whereby to mesh with the latter.

The upper end of the shaft 3| fits into and is pinned as at 34 to asleeve 35, at the lower end of the latter, said sleeve, at its upper endhaving a slotted portion 36 through which passes a pin 31 on a stem 38,carrying a gear 39, pinned at 40, to a reduced extension 4| on the stem38.

The effect of this arrangement is that a driving of the shaft [3 by themotor will turn the beveled gear 28 imparting motion to the companionbeveled gear 32 to the shaft 3| and therefrom to the sleeve 35, stem 38and gear 38, the result being the rotation of the gear 39, meshing witha toothed or gear ring 42, freely supported on the under surface of thetop plate 8, and causing a rotation of the cup-stacks carrier 43(Figures 2 and '7). It is noted that the top plate 8 has dependingtherefrom a supporting spider 44, attached through its flanges 45 bywelding or its equivalent to the underside of the top plate 8. It is inthe space 45 defined by the spider 44 that the gear ring 42 is mounted,said gear ring loosely encircling a stub axle 41, and fitting theperipheral groove 48 of which is a spring ring 49 overlapping the inneredge of the gear ring to prevent longitudinal movement of the latter onthe stub shaft 41 while leaving it at all times free to rotate under theactuation of the gear 39.

The ring gear 42 bears on its bottom upon the ring 50 between which, andanother similar ring 5|, a ballbearing member 52 is interposed to insureeasy rotation of the cup stacks carrier and cups, the weight of whichlatter is considerable, having in mind the multiplicity of stacks andthe hundreds or more cups in the stacks.

The positive rotation of the stacks carrier 43 is accomplished throughthe medium of a cylindrical column 53 simply slipped over the upper edgeof the stub axle 41, or on the other hand lifted off from said stem,when the Whole superstructure is put in place or removed, the lower endof the cylindrical column 53 having an outwardly projecting surroundingflange 54-perforated as at 55--to rest upon the upper surface of thering gear 42 when slipped downwardly over the pins 56 on the uppersurface of said ring gear. Thereby, an eflicient positive rotation ofthe stacks of cups and their carrier is imparted thereto by the ringgear 42, because of the interlocking of these elements together,although, as stated, they are readily separable for removal of thesuper-structure including column 53, cup containing tubes 43, etc.

Operatively associated with the gearing 28 and 32 and their relatedinstrumentalities, are a toggle means and a constant cup-engaging orcontacting member adapted, so long as cups are remaining in the stackbeing dispensed, to effect disconnection of the drive shaft from thedriven shaft 3| for the ring gear 42 to prevent rotation of the cupstacks carrier. Specifically, this means consists of toggle members orlinks 51 and 58 pivoted together, at 58 (constituting the knee, so tospeak, of the toggle) the member 58 being pivotally connected at 60 tothe flange 21 of the an mate plate or; bracket 23;, andwtheothenrmemben;51, pivotally associated, but noindirectly connected with the fiangeorhead 6! -of the.; sleeve 35; permittingsaid sleeverto rotate-with saidflange 5|, bearing upon the pin BZ'of thetoggle :member 51.

For stability, the members or links ofthetoggle are U-shapedcrosssection; to, provide side flanges 51a and 58a. connected; by bridgepieces or webs63 and td lasshownin Figures IwandZ). Between the upperend of the bridge piece; 63 of the link 5'! andlthe periphery ofstheflange 6|, are stop pins 65 depending fromthewfiange 25 of the plate orbracket 23-, isaid,stoppins conlining the pivots, 62 ofthe link 5] incloserelation to the rounded groove ,63,-,beneath thelflange 61,but'perm'ittingth link 51*to. swing, towards and from the sleeve 35. v av The togglelink 5l-5'B can-never assumea fixed or dad center positionbecause the stop-pins 65 will: prevent the inwardmovement of the toggleto an aligned position of thepivots 59; GmandGZ.

The relative positions of the parts, just described, when the stackcarrier is not to be shifted--that so long as the cupsof a particularstack (Figure 8) being dispensed is ampleis clearly shown inflFigure 4.Here, the operation of'the motor, as through .the medium of a suitablecoin control (not shown) will efiect the separation and delivery ofsinglecups from the stack, one revolution of the motor shaft l3I'lbeing' sufficient to that end, the circuit being controlled by theswitch 2|, operated by the cam 20'.

Here it is noted that the toggle has been straightenedvertitzally so asto lift thesleeve 3'5,

depending shaft 3| and beveled gear 32 to raise the latter away frommeshing, relationship with the companion drive gear 28 so that the gear32 and associated parts, including thegear 39; will not be driven orrotated when a stack of cups has not been depleted to an extent definedby additional means to be pointed out.

When, however, the cups of the stack being dispensed hasbeeridepleted tothe predetermined extent, and it becomes desirable to place a new stackin registering position with respect to the delivery opening 66(Figure 1) and delivery worms I5, the parts are moved to the alternativeposition illustrated in Figure 3', where the drive from the 1 commonmotor shaft i3 is effective through the driven shaft3l and connectedmech anism to shift thestacks carrier to present the new stack asstated. This is attained primarily through the said additional meanscomprising a constant cup contactingdevice interposed between thedescendingstack ofcupsbeing' dispensed and the knee of thetoggle5l -58to control the shifting of the sleeve 35*and consequentposition of-thegear 32- carried thereby.

This contactdevice isrepresented at 61, Figures 1, 2, 5 and=6,in=theformof a vertically disposed member of suitable width, and eas curvature upwardly and outwardly, adaptednormally to enter into the path ofmovement of the descending cups and be 'in engagement with the outersurfaces thereof, conveniently the rim or lip at the mouth of the cups;under a light pressure that will not prevent the descent of the stack ofcups sliding against the same;

The: contact device 61 has a horizontal securing flange 6B overlyingandfastened to the outer end: of alever 69, bya screw andslot adjustablemeans Ill, enabling the positioning of-the contact member longitudinallyorrtransversely, or both, relative to the 1 lever; 69113000011113; acorresponding; relationship :withthe :stack oflcups' being zdis-lpensed;anditosproperly engage-the cups=of isaid :stackas the latterdescend.

wardlyflfromnthe bracketu23;.thea pin lbeingtsetoured to this. ledge andthe sleeve; I21 being in'- tegral v with thellever so as tobessleevedllthere overland ,coincidently: retained in positionzbya theweight; thereof for movement in a rotary, direction. l

, Thelever: 69 has welded thereto, .ortformedlintegralitherewith anofiset portion or extension 14 approachingthe bracket23=and terminatingin a downwardly, andoutwardly extendingflat plate-like terminal 15,occupying a-position generally parallel to the-bracket 23 and betweemthebracket, and the togglemembers 51 and 58. Thus in a simple,easily-maintained mechanismnthe ,controlmeans governed by thedepletinglstack of cups is attained, with a minimum number of strongparts of durable character, not susc'eptible to disarrangement, orimpairment inherent. in more delicate or hazardous elements as springs,liable to break or weaken and needing replace-- ment or adjustment, fromtime to. time.

'l'heplate-like terminal 150i thelever 6,9; is adaptedto engage theknee, of the toggle 51-958 when said terminal is moved by theleverfromthe outer position Figure 3 to the inner position Figure 4-, itbeing observed that when the contact member 61, carriedlby -the lever,is inlengagement with the stack ofvcups, the contaotend ofthe lever isheld outwardly by the engagement of the cups therewith, which will causetheleven B9 to swing on its pivot, and move the terminal, portion-.15thereof against the knee of the atoggletorela tively straightenout thetoggle, as before stated inoonnectionvwith Figure 4. l Becauseof theanchorage of thelower member 58 of the toggleonrthe pivot 60 the actionofrthe togglelwill forcel the upper member 51 upwardly, correspondinglycausing the pin 62 to engage-the flange $1 of the sleeve 35, to elevate.the sleeve and associated parts to disengage thevgears 32 and L28.-Thus, while cups remain inudispensing.position lin the machine, so as topress the lever 69 outwardly, there can be no operation of; theturntable'on stacks carrier 43; Howevenwhen the ,few final cupshavepassedl below the contact member 611 (Figure 2), said contact memberis no longer, pressed outwardly by contactof: the 0111332131181?- with,-but will be moved inwardly asubstantial distance within the-arealeftvacant bythe de'-, scended cups, the lever 69 correspondingly move ingoutwardly to the positionshownimFigure: 3; with the plate 15 of thelever against thefaceof the bracket 23. Thismovement is caused by theweight of thesleeve 35;,thershaft 3| and gear 32= operating bygravity todescend andforce thelink' members 51 and 58 to bend=outwardly undertheinfluence of thepin 62 and flange 61,, forcibly pushingthe knee of thetoggle against the plate extension lfi ofithe lever. 69*; andengagingthe6'5: gears 32 and 28,,whereby to drivethelring gear; 42 of thecupscarrier through the companiongear 39;

Possibly, at: times, there might be ,atendency'to' create axvacuumbetween thestem 38andl shaft- 3l-if the latter be solid-that mightbeobjec tiona'blel. and: to avoid any such possibility the shaft 3! isa! hollow shaft; as indicated at 16; so that there'will always bean airpassage "from the lowerbencl-of said shafttherethrough and taweeamesameand the enchoi the-stem'-38 It will be appreciated that when thegear conmotion between the drive shaft l3 and driven shaft 3| isdisrupted by the return movement, or raising of the sleeve 35 andassociated parts, there will no longer exist any drive for the gear 39and ring gear 42 of the stacks carrier. The latter, while free to berotated, will normally remain practically stationary. Therefore, whenany given stack is in substantial registration with the opening 66 ordispensing worms adjacent thereto, and the stack of cups may be a bitout of line or irregular, the stacks carrier may adjust itself or give,rotativelyback-and-forth, as influenced by the stack, in keeping withsuch irregularity.

As is customary, the cups ll of all of the stacks in the carrier 43rest, with the bottom of the lowermost cup, on a smooth plate or finish18 constituting the face of the top plate 8, upon which the stacks mayride in the movement of the stacks carrier until the immediate stack, tosupplement the few remaining cups of the stack being dispensed, movesoff the plate at the dispensing station as represented in Figure 8.

From the foregoing disclosure of the construction and operation of theone embodiment of the invention, it will be appreciated that we secure,without needless interruption and delay, the dispensing of cups from thesuccessive stacks contained in the machine until all of the cups of allof the stacks are exhausted, all that is necessary is to successivelinitiate the operation of the electric drive motor by some well-known orsuitable coin control, and the apparatus will, ever throughout the driveconnections from the motor with the cup dispensing means, actuate thelatter, and as requirement for supplementing the cups at the dispensingstation arises, the supply means will be automatically actuated from thesame motor without interruption or interference of the constant drivinginstrumentalities beween the motor and the cup dispensing means.

In this way the dispensing of a cup and the supplemental supply of a newstack at the dispensing station may be contemporaneously performed, orsimultaneously obtained, without interference of the two functioningphases of the machine with each other, that is, carried on during onecycle of operation of the machine, as defined by the starting of themachine, as by the coin control, and the stopping of the machine in therotation of the drive shaft by the switch control and 2|.

While we have herein disclosed the preferred embodiment of theinvention, it will be understood that said invention may be embodied inother forms embraced within the scope of the hereto appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a machine having a carrier for a plurality of stacks of nestedcups adapted to successively presentthe stacks in registration withmeans for feeding and dispensing single cups from the bottom of a stack:the combination with a motor drive andmeans operatively associatedtherewith for moving the carrier to supplant a stack being dispensed bya fresh stack, comprising a driven rack on the carrier, a member formedand arranged to constantly engage the cups of the stack being dispensedand be freed therefrom from movement when said stack has been depletedto a given extent, said member being carried by a lever pivotedintermediate of the ends thereof for effecting such movement, a togglelever arranged to contact the inner end of said lever to move the leverwhen said member is freed from engagement with the cups, and a shiftable8 member engaged by the toggle lever having cooperatively associatedgearing meshed with the driven rack on the carrier and arranged toeffect the drive when said toggle lever is in-one posi tion but to freethe carrier from the drive when said toggle lever is in an oppositeposition.

2. In a machine having a carrier for a plurality of stacks forregistration with means for feeding and dispensing single cups from thebottom of a stack: the combination with a motor drive and meansoperatively associated therewith for moving the carrier to supplant astack being dispensed by a fresh stack, comprising a correlated drivendevice on the carrier, a member formed and arranged to constantly engagethe cups of the stack being dispensed and be freed therefrom formovement when said stack has been depleted to a given extent, saidmember being carried by a pivoted lever for effecting such movement, atoggle lever arranged to contact said lever to move the lever when saidmember is freed'from engagement with the cups, and a shiftable memberengaged by the toggle lever having cooperatively associated gearingmeshed with the driven. device on the carrier and arranged to effect thedrive whensaid toggle lever is in one position but to free the carrierfrom the drive when said toggle lever is in an opposite position.

3. In a machine having a carrier for a plurality of stacks forregistration with means for feeding and dispensing single cups from thebottom of a stack: the combination with a motor drive and meansoperatively associated therewith for moving the carrier to supplant astack being dispensed by a fresh stack, comprising a correlated drivendevice on the carrier, a member formed and arranged to constantly engagethe cups of the stack being dispensed and be freed therefrom formovement when said stack has been depleted to a given extent, saidmember being carried by a pivoted lever for effecting such movement, atoggle lever arranged to contact said lever to move the lever when saidmember is freed from engagement with the cups, said toggle lever havingits knee in riding contact with said lever when said member is free fromengagement with the cups, and a shiftable member engagedby the togglelever having cooperatively associated gearing with the driven device onthe carrier, and adapted to engage the motor drive when the toggle leveris in one position but to free the carrier when said toggle lever is inan opposite position.

i. In a machine having a carrier for a plurality of stacks forregistration with means for feeding and dispensing single cups from thebottom of a stack: the combination with a motor drive and meansoperatively associated therewith for moving the carrier to supplant astack being dispensed by a fresh stack, comprising a correlated drivendevice on the carrier, a member formed and arranged to constantly engagethe cups of the stack being dispensed and be freed therefrom formovement when said stack has been depleted to a given extent, saidmember being carried by a pivoted lever for effecting such movement, atoggle lever arranged'to contact said lever to move the lever when saidmember is freed from engagement with the cups, and a shiftable memberengaged by the toggle lever having cooperatively associated gearingmeshed with the driven device on the carrier and arranged to effect thedrive when said toggle lever is in one position but to free thecarrierfrom the drive when said toggle lever. is in an opposite position,

the toggle lever and cup-engaging member being so formed and related tothe shiftable member and gearing carried thereby so that the weight ofthe latter will force the cup engaging member into its freed positionafter the passage of cups thereby to said given extent, to effect thedrive of the carrier, and subsequent engagement of cups with thecup-engaging member will cause the lever to force the toggle leverinwardly, raise the shiftable member and separate the gearing todiscontinue the drive for the carrier.

5. In a machine having a carrier for a plurality of stacks of nestedcups adapted to successively present the stacks in registration withmeans for feeding and dispensing single cups from the bottom of a stack,a driven means on the carrier, and a motor drive: the combinationtherewith of means for effecting movement of the carrier to supplant astack being dispensed by a fresh stack when the former has been depletedto a predetermined extent, comprising a member formed and arranged toengage the stack of cups being dispensed and to be freed for movementwhen said stack is depleted to said extent, said member being carried bya pivoted lever, and means cooperatively related to the lever formed andarranged to be shifted by its own weight to effect the drive when thecup engaging means is freed, and to be elevated against the force ofgravity by the engagement of cups with said lever to discontinue thedrive.

6. In a cup dispensing machine of the character described, dispensingmechanism for delivering individual cups from a stack, a carrier for aplurality of supplemental stacks of cups, means for intermittentlyactuating the carrier to present a fresh stack of cups as a precedingstack nears depletion by the dispensing means, means governed by thecups of the immediate stack being dispensed for controlling the saidlast-mentioned means, and a common motor for actuating both the cupdispensing means and the stacks shifting means, having a motor drivenshaft and shiftable gear connections whereby the cup dispensing meansand the stacks-carrier may be actuated during a single cycle of movementof the machine defined by one complete revolution of the motor drivenshaft.

7. In a machine having a carrier for a plurality of stacks of nestedcups adapted to successively present the stacks in registration withmeans for feeding and dispensing single cups from the bottom of a stack,a driven device on the carrier, and driving mechanism: the combinationtherewith of means to engage the device for moving the carrier tosupplant a stack being dispensed by a fresh stack when the former hasbeen depleted to a pretermined extent, comprising a member formed andarranged to constantly engage the outside of the cups being dispensedand be freed for movement when said stack has been depleted to saidextent, said member being carried by a lever, and means cooperativelyrelated to one end of said lever including a cam lever, a rotatablesleeve movable thereby, and adjustable gearing adapted to be engagedwith the driving mechanism and also with the driven device on thecarrier to actuate the carrier in keeping with the adjustment of saidgearing.

8. In a cup dispensing machine of the character described, a dispensingmechanism for delivering individual cups from a stack of cups, a carrierfor a plurality of supplemental stacks of cups, means for intermittentlyactuating the carrier to present a fresh stack of cups as a precedingstack nears depletion by the dispensing means, and a lever operated bythe cups of the immediate stack being dispensed associated with thecarrieractuating means, said carrier-actuating means including arotating drive shaft, and a driven shaft having rotating gearconnections with said carrier and said drive shaft, one of the saidgears being movable to disconnect the drive to the carrier, said cupoperated lever controlling the movements of the movable gear.

9. In a cup dispensing machine of the character described, a dispensingmechanism for delivering individual cups from a stack of cups, a carrierfor a plurality of supplemental stacks of cups, means for intermittentlyactuating the carrier to present a fresh stack of cups as the precedingstack nears depletion by the dispensing means, and a lever operated bythe cups of the immediate stack being dispensed associated with thecarrier-actuating means, said carrier-actuating means comprising arotating drive shaft, a two-part driven shaft having rotary gearconnections with said carrier and drive shaft, one part of the drivenshaft being movable relative to the other part to disconnect the driveto the carrier, a sleeve on the movable part slidable on the other part,and link means adjacent said driven shaft engaging the said slidablesleeve to move the sleeve in one direction and permit movement in theopposite direction, said cup operated lever engaging the link means tocontrol the movements of said slidable sleeve.

10. In a cup dispensing machine of the char,- acter described, adispensing mechanism for delivering individual cups from a stack ofcups, 2. carrier for a plurality of supplemental stacks of cups, meansfor intermittently actuating the carrier to present a fresh stack ofcups as the preceding stack nears depletion by the dispensing means, anda lever operated by the cups of the immediate stack being dispensedassociated with the carrier-actuating means, said carrier-actuatingmeans comprising a rotating drive shaft, a two-part driven shaft havingrotary gear connections with said carrier and drive shaft, one part ofthe driven shaft being movable relative to the other part to disconnectthe drive to the carrier, a sleeve on the movable part slidable on theother part, and toggle links adjacent said driven shaft, one of saidlinks being pivoted to a fixed support and the other link engaging thesaid slidable sleeve to move said sleeve in one direction and permitmovement in the opposite direction, said cup operated lever engaging thetoggle links to control the movements of said slidable sleeve.

HERMAN CAREW. WAYNE M. MACK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 1 Date 2,371,150 Carlson Mar. 13, 19452,385,267 Franz Sept. 18, 1945

